Rib Fest set for Sept. 1-5

PITTSBURGH ─ The Steelers and Heinz Field are inviting fans to celebrate the start of the 2011 football season at the Annual Coors Light Kickoff and Rib Festival, Sept. 1–5 at Heinz Field.

Football, food and fun will highlight the weekend that will feature world-renowned rib vendors, free concerts by national music artists and much more. The event is open from noon to midnight Thursday, Sept. 1 through Saturday, Sept. 3. On Sunday, Sept. 4 it will be open from 9 a.m. to midnight and from noon to 8 p.m. on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5.

The Outlaws will kick off the Festival with a free performance at 7 p.m. on the plaza on Thursday. The Styx will follow with a paid concert at 9:15 p.m. at Stage AE. Tickets are available through ticketmaster.com. Friday’s free concerts will feature The Clarks going on at 9 p.m. after an opening band at 7:30 p.m.

The University of Pittsburgh will play its season opener when they host the University at Buffalo at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3 at Heinz Field, with the Light the River Spectacular taking place after the game. Fans without tickets can enjoy the Festival along Art Rooney Avenue throughout the game.

Sunday morning, fans can cheer on runners who participate in the Annual Steelers 5K Race and Fitness Walk through the North Shore, followed by a Sunday night free concerts by Thompson Square (7:30 p.m.) and Tracy Lawrence (9 p.m.). Butler native and Celebrity Apprentice winner Bret Michaels will finish the Festival’s activities with a free show on Monday, Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.